Safety-guard for centrifugal extractors.



W. BARTHOLOMEW. J. F. BRODERICK & F. BALZER.

SAFETY GUARD FOR CENTRIFUGAL EXTRACTORS.

APPLlCATlON FILED FEB. 18. 1913.

11.21%98. Patented Feb. 6,1917.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

W. BARTHOLOMEW. J. F. BRODERICK & F. BALZER.

SAFETY GUA'RD FOR CENTRIFUGAL EXTRACTORSh APPLICATION FILED FEB. 18, 1913.

LQlQfiQfi Patented Feb.6,1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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WILLIAM BAR'IHOLOMEW, JAMES F. BRODERICK, AND FRITZ BALZEEL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS TO TROY LAUNDRY MACHINERY COMPANY, LTD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SAFETY-GUARD FOR CENTRIFUGAL EXTRAC'IORS.

Application filed February 18, 1913.

To all whom it may goncern;

Be it known that we, WILLIAM BARTHOLO- arnwand JAMES F. BRODEKICK, citizens of' the United States, and FRITZ BALZER, a subject of theEmperor of Germany, all residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Safety-Guards for Centrifugal Extractors, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates in general to laundry machinery, and more particularly to centrifugal extractors.

The high speed at which the baskets of centrifugal extractors are rotated renders their use dangerous to careless operators unless such extractors are provided with safety appliances for preventing access to the baskets while they are rotating. In order that suth safety devices may fully protect the operators, it is necessary that access should be prevented to the baskets not only while the power is applied to rotate them, but after the disconnection of the driving power and while the baskets continue to rotate by momentum at dangerous speeds.

The primary object of our invention is to provide a centrifugal-extractor inwliich the cover when closed will be locked inclosed position while power is applied to rotate the basket, and in which the cover cannot be unlocked while the basket continues to rotate.

A further object of our invention is to pro vide a centrifugal extractorihaving a cover for preventing access to the revolving basket, in which power can only be applied to the basket after the cover has been locked, and in which the driving means which necessarily rotates while the basket rotates will be so connected with the cover that it cannot be opened until such driving means have ceased to move.

A further object of our invention is to provide an improved centrifugal extractor, which will be simple in construction and operation, and the use of which will be unattended by any possible injury to the operators.

Our invention willbe more fully disclosed hereinafter with reference to the accompany- Specification of Letters Patent.

' Patented Feb. d, TWFL Serial No. 749,141.

trated as embodied in a convenient and practical form, and in which Figure 1 is a side elevational view;

Fig. 2, a rear elevation of the upper portion of the casing and parts attached thereto;

Fig. 3, a plan View, a portion of the casing being broken away; and

Fig. 4:, a detail vertical section of a modification. 7

Similar reference characters are used to designate similar parts in the several figures of the drawings.

Reference letter A designates the casing of a centrifugal extractor in which is inclosed the usual revolving basket (1. A designates an annular water ring located around the top of the casing and overlying the space between the casing and basket. a designates a water-guard projecting upwardly at the rear of the water ring. .13 designates a suitable support for the casing comprising standards and a base 7) adapted to be supported upon the floor. C designates a cover closing the top of the casing and thereby preventing access to the inclosed basket. D designates a vertical spindle upon the upper end of which the basket is supported and to which power is applied for rotating the same and thereby rotating the 80 basket. (Z designates a pulley secured con centrically around the spindle D and which is engaged by a driving belt E. F and F designate idler guide pulleys around which the driving belt E passes and by which it is directed to the pulley (Z and also to a suitable driving pulley to which rotary motion is imparted by any suitable power controlling mechanism. The driving pulley and power controlling mechanism are not illustrated, as they are well known in the art and do not constitute parts of my invention. G desigby the driving belt E and consequently is ro tated at. all times that the basket C is rotated. The pulley H rotates about a vertical axis and is suitably supported upon the frame of the machine so as to freely rotate when the driving belt is in motion. The

top of the pulley H is' provided with a laterally extending flange h which is received within a recess 70 formed in the under surface of a supporting bracket K. An annular supporting plate is underlies the flange k and is secured to the lower edge of the cirflange h and the upper surface of the supporting plate K. L designates a sleeve extending concentrically through. the bracket K and also through the top of the pulley H. The bracket K is fixed.to the sleeve L in any suitable manner, as by means of a clamp screw Z, while the pulley H loosely surrounds the sleeve L. The sleeve L is fixed within a depending tubular portion Z of a bracket .L',

the latter being supported upon the under surface of the casing A by means of a bar L The pulley H is hollow and open at its bottom so as to form a chamber withinwhich is inclosed a centrifugal detent comprising'a ball H loosely supported within a seat H1 secured to the under surface of the top of the pulley H. The seat H preferably comprises an annular flange secured to the under surface of the pulley and acylindrical inwardly tapering flange which surrounds and supports the ball H, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. A rod H depends from theball H and carries at its lower end a weight 7?. The ball H is provided with a recess k at its upper surface, which alines with-the opening through the fixed sleeve L when the ball H is in the position to which it is moved by the weight h when the pulleyH is not rotating. When, however, the pulley is rotating the weight will be swung laterally by centrifugal action into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1, thereby moving the recess h in the ball H out of alinement with the opening in the sleeve L. In order to prevent contact with the. pulley H a surrounding shield k is provided which is suitably secured at its upper end around the fixed bracket K. The'shield k is open at its inner side, as shown in Fig. 3, so as to permit the unobstructed contact of the belt E with the pulley.

M designates a reciprocating rod which extends through andis guided by the fixed sleeve.L.= The upper end of the rod M is pivotally connected to the short arm of a crank lever N, thev latter being fulcrumed upon the water-guard a through the me- -dium of a bracket 11. O designates a reciprocating bolt pivotally connected by means of a slot and bolt to the bell crank lever N and extending through horizontally alining which extends the link P, the latter being pivotally connected atone end to a bracket 1) fixed upon the cover G at a point eccentric to the pivotal connection between the cover and water ring A afforded by the hinges 0. The opposite end of the link P extends through the water-guard and is pivotally connected to the upper end of a short link R, the latter being formed with, and radially projecting from, a sleeve 1' which loosely surrounds the rod 8 supported at its ends by spaced ears on the bracket S, the latter being suitably secured to the water-guard 'a'.

T designates a spring secured to the bell crank lever N and also to a pin t projecting from the water-guard a, the tension of which tends to oscillate the bell crank lever in a direction to move the bolt 0 toward the left in Figs. 2 and 3, and to thereby cause the same to pass through a hole 11 in the link P when the cover is closed;

The mannenof using and operation of our invention are as follows: Assuming that the cover is closed and that the driving power hasbeen disconnected from the belt E so of the bolt. The cover may then be lifted,

thereby moving the link P into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. The rod M is of such a length that when it is lifted by the movement of the bell crank lever toward the left into locking-e nga ement with the link P when the cover is c osed, it will terminate at its lower end just above the ball H, as shown in Fig. 1. When the bell crank lever N is oscillated toward the right to unlock the cover through disengagement with the link P the rod M is reciprocated downwardly, which causes the lower end thereof to pass into the recess in theupper surface of the ball 'H, such recess alining with the rod M when the ball H is in the osition it assumes when the pulley H is not in motion.

After the articles from which it is desired to extract the water have been placed within the basket and it is desired to apply power to rotate the basket, the bell crank lever.N is first swung'to the right so as to move its free end from the path of the link P, thereby permitting the cover to be closed and the link P to'be drawn into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1, in which the hole p therein registers with the bolt 0.

garages the rodM so that its lower'end is disengaged from the recess in the ball H. Driving power is then applied to the belt E through any suitable power controlling device. The

motion of the belt E rotates the pulley H, thereby causing the ball k to swing outwardly to the po ition shown in Fig. 1, owing to the sligh eccentric position of the ball H relatively to the vertical axis of ro;..

tatlon of the pulley H. The swinging of-the weight h outwardly oscillates the ball H so that the recess therein is out of alinement With the rod M. It is therefore evident that .during the rotation of the pulley H the bolt 0 cannot be withdrawn from engagement'with the link P, inasmuch as the necessary oscillation of the bell crank lever N is prevented, owing to the position of the ball H obstructing the downward'movement of the rod M. The cover of the basket therefore must remain locked in closed position as long as the basket rotates, inasmuch as the pulley H rotates coincidentally with the rotation of the basket pulley d, and while the pulley H rotates, the rod M is locked against the movement requisite to permit the disengagement of the bolt 0 from the link P. o

When the driving power has been disconnected from the belt E and the basket has ceased to rotate, the pulley H has also come bolt in a direction to unlock the cover.

to a stop, so that the weight b will depend by gravityin such position that the recess h in the ball H will aline with the lower end of the rod M. The lever N may then be oscillated toward the right so as todisengage the bolt 0 from the link P, thereby permitting the cover to be raised.

The turnbuckle m permits such adjustment of the rod M as to locate the lower end thereof in such relation with the ball H that the rod M cannot be moved down-.

wardly, while the pulley is rotating, a suflicient distance to perm t the disengagement of the bolt 0 from the link P.

In Fig. Awe have illustrated a slight modification of the eccentrically depending centrifugal'ly operated stop. In this figure a stop U is pivoted at u at one side of the, vertical axis of the rod M, and is provided with a depending rod u, at the lower end of which isthe weight U. The operation of this modified form of our invention is substantially the same as that illustrated in Fig. 1, and will be clearly understood without detailed explanation. The rotation of the pulley H causes the weight U to swing outwardly, as indicated in full lines in Fig. 4, thereby oscillating the stop U to a position beneath the lower end of the rod M so as to prevent the downward movement of the latter. and consequently the operation of the When the pulley ceases to rotate the weight U will, through the action of gravity, cause the stop 'U to assume the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4: at one side of the rod M, so that the latter may be depressed and the cover unlocked.

Fromthe foregoing description it will be observed that we have invented an improve- "anent in centrifugal extractors and similar machines, by means of which the cover when closed is positively locked in closed position at all times during the rotation of the basket, whether such rotation is due to the connection of the driving power therewith or to momentum after the disconnection of the power therefrom. The cover, therefore, can not be unlocked until the basket has ceased to rotate.

While we have illustrated and described our invention as embodied in a centrifugal extractor and have defined the same in the following claims with reference to such embodimentthereof, yet we do not wish thereby to be understood as restricting the application of our invention to centrifugal extractors. but intend thereby to protect it for whatever uses it may be adapted and in whatever forms it may be capable of practical embodiment, and while in the annexed claims we have defined our invention as embodied in a centrifugal extractor, yet it will be understood that we do not intend to be limited to that specific embodiment of our invention, but contemplate embodying it in other machines in which it may be said cover is closed for retaining said cover in closed'position, an element controlling the operation of said locking mechanism, and a stop actuated by centrifugal action to prevent the movement of said element necessary to permit the unlocking of sald cover during the rotation of said basket. 3. In a centrifugal extractor, the combination with a rotary member, of a safety guard .for said member, locking mechanism for retaining said guard in closed position, an element connected to and controlling the operation of said locking mechanism, an oscillatory stop controlling the movement of said element, a weightconnected with said stop for oscillating the same into a position to and controlling the operation of said locking 1 mechanism, an oscillatory stop controlling the movement of said rod in a direction to permit the operation of said locking mechanism to unlock the cover, a weight connected -to said stop for oscillating the same, and

means for subjecting said weight to centrif; ugal action during the rotation of 'saidbasket and thereby oscillating said stop into position to prevent the movement of said rod necessary to permit the unlocking of said basket.

In a centrifugal extractor, the combination with a rotary member, of a Safety guard for said member, locking mechanism for retaining said guard in closed position, a vortical reciprocatory rod connected to and controlling the operation of said locking mechanism, a belt for rotating said member, a

. pulley having a vertical axis engaging said belt and rotating simultaneously with said member, a weight pivotally mounted on said pulley eccentric to its axis of rotation, and a stop actuated by said weight to prevent the movement of said rod necessary to permit.

the operation of said locking mechanism to unlock said guard during the rotation of said member.-

6, In a centrifugal extractor, the combination with a rotarybasket, of a cover for closing said basket, locking mechanism comprising a reciprocatingbolt for retaining said cover in closed position, an element controlling the operation of said locking mechanism, a belt for driving said basket, a pulley engaging said belt and rotating simultaneously with said basket, a weight pivotally mounted on said pulley eccentric to its axis of rotation, and a stop actuated-by said weight to prevent the movement of said element necessary to permit the reciprocation of said bolt in a direction to unlock said cover during the rotation of the basket.

7. In a centrifugal machine, the combinat1on with a rotary member, of a safety guard [for said member, a bolt for locking said guard in closed position, a bell crank lever for reciprocating said bolt, a rod connected with said bell crank lever and reciprocated thereby when oscillated to actuate said bolt,

the bell crank lever 'to unlock said guard during the rotation of said member.

8. In a centrifugal extractor, the combination with a casing, of a rotary basket Within tion with a rotary member, of a safety guard' for said member, a bolt for locking said guard'in' closed position, a bell crank lever for reciprocating said bolt, a rod connected with said bell crank lever and reciprocated thereby when oscillated to actuate said bolt, a belt for rotating said member, a pulley engaging saitl belt and rotated thereby on an 1* axis concentric with the path of movement of said rod, a weight pivotally mounted on said pulley eccentric to its axis of rotation, and a stop actuated by said Weight to overlie the end of said rod and thereby prevent the movement thereof necessary to permit the unlatching of said guard during the rotation of said member.

10. In a centrifugal extractor, the combi 'nation with a casing, of a rotary basket within said casing, a cover pivotally mounted on said casing for inclosing said basket, a bolt for locking said cover in closed position, a bell crank lever pivotally mounted on said casing for reciprocating said bolt, a rod connected with said bell crank lever and reciprocated thereby when oscillated to actuate 7 said bolt, a belt for rotating said basket, a pulley engaged by said belt and rotated thereby about an axis concentric with the path of movement of said rod, a weight pivotally mounted on said pulley eccentric to its axis of rotation, and a stop actuated by said weight to overlie the end of said rod and prevent the movement thereof necessary to permit the unlocking of said cover.

11; In a centrifugal extractor, the combination with a rotary member, of a safety guard for said member, means for controlling .the opening of said guard comprising a bell crank lever and a reciprocating rod connected therewith, and an obstruction movable by centrifugal action into the path of said rod to prevent the movement thereof necessary to permit the bell crank lever to move in a direction to permit the opening of said guard.

12. In a centrifugal extractor, the combination with a rotary member, of a safety guard for said member, means for controlling the opening and closing of said guard comprising a reciprocating rod, a belt for rotating said member, a pulley engaging said belt and rotated thereby on an axis concentrio with the path of movement of said rod, a Weight pivotally mounted on said pulley eccentric to its axis of rotation, and a stop actuated by said Weight to obstruct the movement of said rod into said pulley and thereby prevent the movement thereof necessary to permit said guard to be opened.

13. In a centrifugal extractor, the combination with a casing, of a rotary basket in said casing, a cover pivotally mounted on said casing for controlling access to said basket, driving means for rotating said basket, means for controlling the opening and closing of said cover comprising a reciproeating rod, a stop movable into and out of the path of movement of the rod, said stop comprising a Weight actuated by gravity .When the basket is stationary to permit the WILLIAM BARTHOLOMEW. JAMES F. BRODERICK. FRITZ BAIJZER.

\Vitnesses C. M. LEARY, F. C. WHI'IMORE. 

